I think it works really well. There's always been a more literary sense in Star Trek than in other major Sci-fi at the time (such as Star Wars or the original Battlestar Galatica).

As a result the idea of taking the movie and draping it in the overt themes of Moby Dick gave the film some additional resonance and power. It also allowed for some great lines that made more sense (Khan reading Moby Dick is certainly much less of stretch than Plummer knowing Shakespear as a Klingon).

The reason it works really well though is that Khan does do a great job of becoming an vengeful, insane Ahab by the end of the film. He isn't interested in the well being of his crew or finding a new place to live, instead he's focused on Kirk and his revenge.

Although his final moments, with the great 'spit at thee' line is a wonderful point in the film it's really the line -

"I'll chase him round the moons of Nibia and round the Antares maelstrom and round perdition's flames before I give him up!"

that manages to encapsulate his drive for revenge - coming at the point where he would have been able to leave, with his crew, with a working ship.

of course the really brilliance in the thematic link isn't the simple pursuit of revenge but the chance to contrast this with the hunted. Unlike Moby Dick we're able to see the hunted as real people and watch their sacrifice.

Spock gives up his life for his crew and friend - Khan dooms himself and his followers.

Permalink | Report